Just one day after the intense matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen has officially spoken out about his role in the major brawl in the fourth quarter. Steen, who was ejected from the field along with two Commanders players, affirms that his actions were solely to protect a rookie (new signing) on the team following provocative words and a play deemed “dirty” from Mike Sainristil – the Commanders cornerback who is said to have ignited the chaos.
The Week 16 NFL game took place on the evening of December 20 at FedEx Field and ended with a 29-18 victory for the Eagles, helping them clinch the NFC East title for the second consecutive time and officially enter the playoffs. However, the most negative highlight was the brawl at the end of the fourth quarter. After the Eagles led 27-10 and scored another touchdown, they decided to attempt a two-point conversion instead of a safe extra point, pushing the score to 29-10 with only about 4 minutes left. This play was seen by the Commanders as disrespectful, leading to a major scuffle.
After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni explained the decision to go for the two-point conversion, emphasizing it was purely a tactical choice and not a message. “We calculated and said, ‘Hey, we want to make sure we’re up 19 points,’” Sirianni said. “That way, they can only tie with a field goal, two touchdowns, and two two-point conversions. We wanted to ensure we were up by three scores in the worst-case scenario. That’s what the numbers told us, and that’s what we executed.”
Washington head coach Dan Quinn was asked if he felt the decision crossed a line. He declined to directly criticize Philadelphia but made it clear the moment would not be forgotten. “I can only answer for myself, what I would do,” Quinn said. “But if that’s how they want to handle it, then fine. We’ll see them again in two weeks.”
In a short interview with local reporters on the morning of December 21, Steen broke his silence. “I wasn’t the one who started it, and I’m not proud of what happened,” Steen said. “But when I saw Sainristil charge in and use provocative words, along with a ‘dirty’ shove aimed at our rookie – a ‘new signing’ trying to integrate – I couldn’t stand by. I only acted to protect my teammate. That’s football, but there are limits to respect. I didn’t want things to escalate, but Sainristil ignited that brawl.”
Steen did not specify the name of the “new signing” he was protecting, but according to internal sources, it may refer to Fred Johnson, a player who recently joined the Eagles. Steen’s actions have received support from some teammates, with Jordan Mailata (Eagles OT) saying in a press conference: “Ask Steen, but we’re a family. No one wants a brawl, but sometimes you have to stand up.”
On the Commanders’ side, head coach Dan Quinn expressed anger after the game: “If that’s how they want to get down… all good. We play them again in two weeks.” He implied the Eagles’ two-point decision was unnecessary but did not comment directly on Sainristil. Sainristil, who is considered the main instigator through video breakdowns, has not spoken out about the incident.
The brawl has spread widely on X, with thousands of shares of videos where Sainristil is pointed out as the instigator. The NFL is expected to review the videos to issue additional penalties, which may include fines or suspensions for the involved players.
In any case, this story serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in the NFL, where the boundary between passion and violence can sometimes blur. The Eagles are now heading to the playoffs with strong momentum, while the Commanders (4-11) face many issues, including the injury to QB Marcus Mariota. Steen ended the interview with: “We’ll learn from this and focus on what’s most important – winning.” A lesson in team spirit and emotional control in elite sports.
